Printing press construction



Jan. 28, 1964 J. A. PIDGEON 3,119,327

PRINTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION Filed July 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

Jose 1110A. Piageozz/ mefa m ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1964 J. A. PIDGEON 3,

PRINTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION Filed July 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Shet 2 IN V ENTOR.

ATTQRNEYS United States Patent 3,113,327 PRlNTING PRESS CONSTRUCTIONJoseph A. Pidgeon, 259 W. 16th St., Salem, Ohio Filed July 6, 1962, Ser.No. 207,925 15 Claims. (Cl. 101-240) My invention relates toimprovements in printing press construction, and more specifically toprinting presses of the type wherein a series of items are printed inpredetermined sequence each having difierent material printed thereon.Even more specifically, my invention relates to such sequence printingpress constructions wherein, by certain novel innovations, the size ofthe overall mechnisrn is greatly reduced and simplified, both foraccomplishing the printing operation, as well as gathering in sequenceand conveyin the finished printed items.

There are many occasions in the printing industry wherein it isnecessary to print a series of items, such as the various pages ofbulletins or the various weekly church collection envelopes, With eachitem having different printed material thereon. in such instances, it isnecessary that the final printed bulletins or group of church envelopeswill be in a given proper sequential order, such as the numbered pagesof a bulletin or the various sequentially dated church envelopes.

One prior means of providing such printed items or material has been toprint each of the various items required in the final sequenceindividually, after which, either by collating machines or human labor,these various printed items are collated into stacks of proper numberand proper sequence. In the case of church collection envelopes, as wellas many other printed items, there is the additional requirement thateach of the printed items in a properly collated group will furtherinclude the name and address of a particular church member, so that bythis prior method, after the particular group of envelopes have beencollated into a stack of proper size and order, whether for each of theweeks of a given month or all of the weeks of a single year, it is thennecessary to print the name and address of the particular member on eachof the printed items by usual addressing machines.

In order to reduce time and labor costs, specially constructed printingpresses have been provided solely for use in printing in sequence aseries of such items. In this case, considering for instance, churchcollection envelopes, envelope blanks will be fed to a particularconstruction of printing press.

The particular form of printing press includes a concentric rotatingprinting cylinder arranged for various technical reasons to print oncefor each revolution circumscribed by belts or chm'ns, with the belts orchains having a series of spaced printing plates mounted thereon. Thebelts or chains mounting the printing plates are of considerably greaterlength than the circumference of the printing cylinder and the platesare positioned on the belts with the space from one plate to the nextequal exactly to the circumference of the printing cylinder.

Thus, each time the printing cylinder makes one complcte revolution, itwill pick up the next printing plate on the belts or chains and in everycase at the same predetermined location on the printing cylinder. Withthis construction and further by providing the usual inking andimpression roller at predetermined set locations as Well as by arrangingthe printing plates on the belts in proper sequence, it is possible tofeed the envelopes to be printed to the printing press and theseenvelopes will be sequentimly printed with the proper printed matterthereon. Each group of printed envelopes is then collected as a groupfrom the printing press and is placed in storage.

Thereafter, these groups of printed envelopes may be removed fromstorage as required for use. Furthermore,

each of the entire groups of envelopes, or portions thereof, at a latertime may be removed from storage and addressed by usual addressingmachines as required.

It is obvious that in this construction of printing press, it isnecessary to provide the belts or chains mounting and carrying theprinting plates to the printing cylinder of a length which is an exactmultiple of the circumference of the printing cylinder as determined bythe total number of plates, so that even where only four or fiveenvelopes are to be printed in sequence, it is necessary to have thechains or belts carrying the printing plates of considerable length.Furthermore, Where the number of envelopes in each group is greater, thelength of the belts or chains be comes so great as to be an extremeproblem.

Various modifications have been attempted in the latter printing pressconstruction in order to reduce the lengths of the belts or chainscarrying the printing plates in order to reduce the space required forthe overall printing press constriction. All of these prior attempts,however, have been impractical or extremely complicated.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide aprinting press construction of the foregoing type for printing one itemfor each revolution of the printing cylinder which eliminates certain ofthe dis advantages and difiiculties and solves certain of the problemsof the prior construction discussed above.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a printingpress construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for eachrevolution of the printing cylinder in which the belts or chainscarrying the printing plates will properly position each of the printingplates in sequence on a predetermined location or printing station ofthe printing cylinder, so that a different plate will be properlypositioned for each revolution of the printing cylinder until all of theplates have accomplished the proper printing function, While stillreducing the lengths of the belts or chains to less than that formerlyrequired in the prior constructions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printingpress construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for eachrevolution of the printing cylinder and with a reduced length of thebelts or chains while still maintaining the quality of the printing at amaximum.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aprinting press construction of the foregoing type for printing one itemfor each revolution of the printing cylinder in which the lengths of thebelts or chains may be greatly reduced from that previously requiredwhile still maintaining the overall construction of maximum simplifiedform.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a printingpress construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for eachrevolution of the printing cylinder in which a novel gathering means ispositioned directly following the printing cylinder and operablyregulated with the printing cylinder for receiving the printed matterdirectly from the printing cylinder, automatically inverting the printedmatter for visual inspection purposes, and stacking the printed matterin predetermined size stacks corresponding to the total number ofprinting plates mounted on the belts or chains.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printingpress construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for eachrevolution of the printing cylinder which satisfies all of the aboveobjects in a relatively simple and efficient manner and may beconstructed at a minimum of expense.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions,arrangements, combinations and subcom binati'ons comprising the presentinvention, a preferred embodiment of whichillustrative of the best modein which applicant has contemplated applying the principles'is set forthin the following description and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and setforth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the printing press construction of the presentinvention may be stated as including an eccentric rotatable printingcylinder having a printing location or station at the maximumeccentricity thereof, and having a circumference of predeterminedlength. Further, endless belt means in the form of chains or belts aremounted around the printing cylinder mounting a series of printingplates at equally spaced points over the length of the belt means, withthe length of the belt means being at least one plate spacing greaterthan the circumference of the printing cylinder and not greater than oneplate spacing less than the total number of plates multiplied by thecircumference of the printing cylinder.

Still further, the circumference of the printing cylinder is in lengthan exact multiple more than one of the plate spacing so that a printingplate is always located at the printing location for every rotation ofthe printing cylinder, and the relationship of the circumference of theprinting cylinder and the spacing between successive printing plates andthe number of printing plates is such that each printing plate willrotate with the printing cylinder at the printing location in apredetermined order or sequence prior to any printing plate beinglocated at said printing location more than once. Also, the usual inkingroll and impression roll are mounted at set locations relative to theprinting cylinder so that only the particular printing plate at theprinting location or station on the printing cylinder may contact theseinking and impression rolls.

The optimum condition is that the belt means will have a length exactlyequal to the circumference of the printing cylinder plus one platespacing. With this preferred form, the printing plates will besequentially positioned at the printing location or station on theprinting cylinder and sequentially perform the printing operation in theexact succession these printing plates are mounted on the belt means.

Furthermore, for optimum printing results, in view of the fact that theprinting cylinder is rotating eccentrically, it is preferred that theouter surfaces of the printing plates, that is, the printing surfacesthereof, will be formed on an arc generated by a radius from the truecenter of rotation of the printing cylinder. Thus, the printing surfacesof the printing plates, when these printing plates are located at theprinting location or station, being on a radius from the true center ofrotation of the printing cylinder will contact the inking and impressionrolls throughout the circumferential lengths of the plate printingsurfaces.

Additionally, the printing press construction includes gathering andstacking means for receiving printed items from the printing cylinder,preferably automatically inverting these printing items for visualinspection purposes, and stacking these printed items in stacks of anumber equal to the total number of printing plates mounted on the beltmeans. This stacking means also includes automatic release means forautomatically releasing a stack of printed items when this stack hasreached the predetermined total number, so that the various stacks asthey are gathered or built may be conveyed away from the location of thegathering means.

By way of example, an embodiment of the printing press constructioncomprising the present invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate similarparts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of the printing pressconstruction of the present invention;

FIG. 2is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing various 4- elements ofthe printing press construction in another position from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the various elements of theprinting press construction in still another position from that of- FIG.1;

FIG. 4 a fragmentary top plan view, with parts broken away and parts insection, showing the printing cylinder, the belt means and a printingplate holder with a portion of one of the usual printing plates mountedthereon;

FIG. 5 a sectional view, part in elevation, looking in the direction ofthe arrows 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a fragmentary side elevation, with parts broken away and parts insection, showing the gathering and stacking means of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 a fragmentary front elevation of the gathering and stackingmeans.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the overall printing pressconstruction of the present invention is shown in various positions ofoperation and includes an eccentric rotatable printing cylinder,generally indicated at 10, and endless belt means, generally indicatedat 11, mounting a series of spaced printing plates, 12, 13, 14 and 15.Further, the printing press construction includes a usual rotatableinking roll 16, a usual rotatable impression roll 17, feed conveyormeans, generally indicated at 18, feed rolls, generally indicated at 19,receiving rolls, generally indicated at 20, gathering and stackingmeans, generally indicated at 21, and stack conveyor means, generallyindicated at 22.

The printin cylinder 11) is mounted on a shaft 23 with the center 24 ofthe printing cylinder being offset a predetermined amount from thecenter 25 of shaft 23, so that the printing cylinder 16 is eccentricallyrotatable. Furthermore, in view of the eccentric rotation of theprinting cylinder 10, a printing station or location 26 is provided onthe printing cylinder at the maximum eccentricity of this printingcylinder, such maximum eccentricity being indicated by the broken line27.

The belt means 11, mounting the printing plates 12, 13, 14 and 15.surrounds printing cylinder 10 and is rotatable therewith. This beltmeans 11 mounts the various printing plates 12, 13, 14 and 15 at equallyspaced points thereon, with the total length of the belt means being atleast one plate spacing greater than the circumference of the printingcylinder 10, and with the circumference of the printing cylinder beingin length an exact multiple of the plate spacing, in the particular caseshown, exactly three plate spacings.

Thus, in the particular embodiment of the printing press construction ofthe present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there are fourprinting plates 12, 13, 14 and 15 mounted on the belt means 11, thetotal circumference of the printing cylinder 10 is exactly three platespacings, and the total length of the belt means is exactly one platespacing more than the circumference of the printing cylinder. Rotatableidler means, generally indicated at 28, is mounted spaced from theprinting cylinder 19 with the belt means 11 being engaged over idlermeans 28 for maintaining the belt means tensioned and properly rotatableexactly with the printing cylinder.

In view of the eccentric rotation of the printing cylinder 10, the idlermeans 28 is mounted on a pivotal mounting bar 29, which mounting bar ispositioned outside the idler means and is resiliently urged away fromthe printing cylinder by the spring 30, so that the idler means 28 canmove with the eccentricity of the printing cylinder while stillmaintaining the belt means 11 properly tensioned.

Still further, the positioning of the belt means 11 relative to theprinting cylinder 10 is such that when the printing station 26 on therotating printing cylinder 10 is located for contact by the belt means11 there will always be one of the printing plates 12 through 15 locatedat this printing station 26 and moving around with the printing cylinderat this maximum eccentricity point on the printing cylindercircumference where the printing station is located.

The usual inking roll 16 and usual impression roll 17 are mountedrotatable at fixed locations relative to the center 25 of the shaft 23mounting the printing cylinder and these rolls are of proper size andlocated at proper distances so that they are contacted by the particularprinting plate 12 through located at the printing station 26 on printingcylinder 1! when this station passes these rolls during rotation of theprinting cylinder. In view of the eccentric rotation of the printingcylinder 10, only the particular printing plate 12 through 15 located atthe printing station 26 will contact the inking roll 16 and impressionroll 17 and the other three of the printing plates 12 through 15 on thisparticular rotation of the printing cylinder will be spaced inwardlyfrom and not contacting these rolls.

For example, in FIG. 1, printing plate 12 is contacting and being inkedby the inking roll 16 since this printing plate is at the printingstation 26 on the printing cylinder 10. At the same time, printing plate13 has just passed beneath the impression roll 17 spaced therefrom byvirtue of the eccentricity of cylinder 10, while printing plates 14 and15 are spaced at various locations from the outer circumference of theprinting cylinder 10 and toward the idler means 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing cylinder 10 has rotated approximatelyone-quarter of a turn from the position shown in FIG. 1 and the printingplate 12 at the printing station 26 is now bearing against theimpression roll 17 for accomplishing the printing operation. At the sametime, printing plate 13 is just leaving the outer circumference of theprinting cylinder, printing plate 14 is spaced from the printingcylinder at the idler means 28, and printing plate 15 has just contactedthe printing cylinder circumference approaching the location of theinking roll 16, but will pass this inking roll spaced therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printing cylinder 10 has rotated just short ofone complete revolution from the position shown in FIG. 1, and theprinting plate 12 which performed the printing function at the positionof FIG. 2, has now left the circumference of the printing cylinder andis at the idler means 28. At the same time, the next printing plate 13has just contacted the printing cylinder circumference and is beinglocated at the printing station 26, while the printing plate 14 ispassing beneath the impression roll 17 spaced therefrom, and theprinting plate 15 is just leaving the printing cylinder circumference.

Thus, on the next rotation of the printing cylinder 10 from the positionshown in FIG. 3, the printing plate 13 will contact both the inking roll16 and impression roll 17 performing the printing function, while theremainder of the printing plates will remain spaced from these rolls. Inthis manner, each of the printing plates 12, 13, 14 and 15 is picked upin sequence at the printing station 26 on the printing cylinder 10, adifferent printing plate for each revolution of the printing cylinder,and the particular printing plate at the printing station will performthe printing function, while the remainder of the printing plates remainout of contact with either the inking roll 16 or impression roll 17.

In view of the fact that the printing cylinder 10 is eccentricallyrotatable, as provided by the printing cylinder center 24 being offsetfrom the shaft center 25, for optimum printing results, it is preferredthat the outer surfaces 66 of the printing plates 12 through 15 will beon a circumferential are generated by a radius, indicated by the brokenline 67 in FIGS. 1 and 2, from the true center of rotation of theprinting cylinder, which would be the axis or center of rotation of theshaft 23.

Thus, these printing plate outer surfaces 66, when a particular printingplate is located at the printing station 26, will perfectly match thesurfaces of the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 over the entirecircumferential lengths of these plate outer surfaces, despite the factthat these printing plates are traveling on and with the outer surfaceof the eccentrically rotatable printing cylinder 10.

It is also preferred, despite the fact that the outer surfaces 66 of theprinting plates 12 through 15 are on arcs generated by the radius 67from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder 10, that theprinting cylinder will be perfectly circular, in which case, in orderfor the inner circumferential surfaces 68 of the printing plates 12through 15 to match the outer surface of the printing cylinder, theseinner plate surfaces 68 will be on a circumferential are generated by aradius, indicated by the broken lines 69 in FIGS. 1 and 2, from theactual center 24 of the printing cylinder.

Thus, in this manner, the outer plate surfaces 66 will perfectly matchand evenly contact the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 when aparticular plate is located at the printing station 26 on the printingcylinder 10, while at the same time, at every occasion of contact of theprinting plates with the printing cylinder, the inner plate surfaces 68will perfectly match the outer circumference of the printing cylinder.

Rather than provide the outer circumference of the printing cylinderperfectly circular and the plate inner surfaces 68 matching, it ispossible to accomplish the same thing by forming both the plate outerand inner surfaces 66 and 68 from arcs generated by radii from the truecenter of rotation of the printing cylinder, that is, the axis or centerof rotation of the shaft 23, and provide the outer surface of theprinting cylinder 10 at the printing station 26 with a matching surfacealso generated by a radius from the true center of rotation.

The important thing is, for optimum results, that the plate outersurfaces 66 will be on a circumferential are generated by a radius fromthe true center of rotation in order that these plate outer surfaces mayevenly contact the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 which aremounted at fixed centers. As stated, this is the optimum printingcondition and this is particularly true where the matter to be printedby the printing plates extends over a relatively large circumferentiallength of the printing cylinder.

In the case where the circumferential length of the printed matter isrelatively short, or where relatively large diameter inking andimpression rolls 16 and 17 are used as compared to the size of theprinting cylinder 10, or where there is required only a relatively smalleccentricity of the printing cylinder 10, or where the resiliency ofsponginess or the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 may beincreased, it is possible to approach the optimum printing resultswithout forming the plate outer surfaces on this arc generated by aradius from the true center of rotation. Obviously, all of these factorswill affect the contact between the printing plate outer surfaces whichaccomplish the printing and the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17which must cooperate with these plate outer surfaces in the printingoperation.

The particular relationship between the total length of the belt means11 and the circumference of the printing cylinder 10 shown in FIGS. 1through 3, that is, the length of the belt means exactly one platespacing greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder, is alsothe optimum condition according to the principles of the presentinvention, since with this particular relationship, the length of thebelt means is at a minimum. Where there are greater numbers of plates onthe belt means, however, in most cases it is possible to accomplish orderive certain of the benefits of the present invention while stillhaving the belt means of greater length Certain of the broaderrequirements of the present invention have been stated above, that is,the total length of the belt means must be at least one plate spacinggreater than the circumference of the printing cylinder, and thecircumference of the printing cylinder must be an exact multiple of theplate spacing.

Further requirements, considering the present invention from the broadstandpoint, are that the total length of the belt means must not begreater than one plate spacing less than the circumference of theprinting cylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates.Also, the relationship of the circumference of the printing cylinder,the length of the individual plate spacings, and the number of printingplates must be such that each printing plate will rotate with theprinting cylinder at the printing station in a predictable predeterminedorder or sequence prior to any printing plate being located at theprinting station. more than once.

Obviously, the total length of the belt means, may not be greater thanone plate spacing less than the circumference of the printing cylindermultiplied by the total number of printing plates if there is to be anybelt means length reduction advantage to the present invention. If thetotal length of the belt is equal to the circumference of the printingcylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates, there is noneed to mount the printing cylinder eccentrically rotatable, since onlyone printing plate would travel around with the printing cylinder foreach revolution and there would be no savings in the length of'the beltmeans.

Furthermore, the construction must be such that each printing plate willperform the printing function at least once prior to any of the printingplates performing this function more than once in order that each cycleproduces a complete predetermined set of printed matter. Also, theseplates must perform the printing function in the same predictablepredetermined order or sequence every cycle in order that each set ofprinted matter will be in exactly the same order, and also so that theprinting plates may be originally set up or positioned on the belt meansto produce the set of printed matter in the predetermined order desired.

To illustrate the application of the broad principles of the presentinvention, Table A is set forth below listing examples of the number ofprinting plates related to lengths of belt means to produce sequences ofprinting by the printing plates according to the principles of thepresent invention. This listing in Table A is not intended to becomplete, but only sets forth a reasonable number of examples toillustrate the principles of. the present invention.

As shown in Table A, the first column from the left isthe total numberof printing plates on the belt means, the second column is the totallength of the belt means in units of printing cylinder circumference,the third column is the total length of the belt means set forth in thenumber of plate spacings greater than the circumference of the printingcylinder, and the fourth or righthand column is the order in which theprinting plates will print, numbering the printing plates 1, 2, 3, etc.,in the exact order these printing plates are positioned along the beltmeans.

By way of further explanation of Table A, consider the example that thetotal number of plates on the belt means is according to the principlesof the present invention set forth-inthe foregoing, the beltrneans maybe one plate spacing in length greater than the circumference of theprinting cylinder (1% times the printing cylinder circumference) or maybe two plate spacings greater than the circumference of the printingcylinder (1 /3 times the printing cylinder circumference). In the firstcase, the printing plate will perform the printing function in the exactsequence as they appear on the belt means and then repeat in the sameorder, while in the second case, they will perform the printing functionin the sequence of the first, third, fifth, etc., as shown, and thenrepeat in the same order.

Thus, in each of the cases shown in Table A, the total length of thebelt means is not greater than one plate spacing less than thecircumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number ofprinting plates, so that in each case it is possible to reduce thelength of the belt means to less than has been heretofore possible.

Furthermore, in each of the cases illustrated in Table A, therelationship of the circumference of the printing cylinder, the lengthof the individual plate spacings and the number of printing plates issuch that each printing plate will rotate with the printing cylinder atthe printing station and thereby perform the printing function in apredictable sequence, with no printing plate repeating until all of theprinting plates have printed, after which the. printing plates repeat inthe identical order or sequence.

The items 31 to be printed may be fed to the printing cylinder 10 andimpression roll 17 in the usual manner, such as the usual feed conveyormeans 18, which may include the usual conveyor belt or belts 32 movable,on the conveyor pulley 33. Furthermore, these items 31 to be printed,upon leaving the conveyor belt 32, pass between the usual feed rolls 19,from which they are fed in proper timed relationship in the usual mannerdirectly to and between the particular printing plates 12, 13, 14 or 15and the impression roll 17.

Upon being printed, the items 31 then pass directly between the usualreceiving rolls 20, and from there are fed into the unique gathering andstacking means 21 of the present invention. At the gathering andstacking means and immediately from the receiving rolls 20, the items 31are received in the inverting means, generally indicated at 34, in FIG.1, and this inverting means is preferably formed by a pair of axiallyaligned and spaced inverting discs 35.

Inverting discs 35 are provided with the aligned receiving slots 36 andthese inverting discs are mounted on the common shaft 37, which shaft isrotatable in timed relationship in the usual manner to the remainder ofthe printing press construction, so that the receiving slots 36 are.directed substantially.horizontally, opening toward the. receiving rolls20, when one of the items 31 passes therethrough. Thus, the particularitem 31 leaving the receiving rolls 20 enters the receiving slots 36 ofthe inverting. discs 35, as shown in broken lines in FIG, 1, after whichthe continued clockwise rotation of the inverting discs 35, as shown inFIG. 1, causes the particular item 31 to rotate with these invertingdiscs and to be inverted or turned with the printed material thereonfacing up, reversed from the position during printing.

At thesame time, as the particular item 31 completes itsinvertingmotion, this item is engaged by the stack positioning means,generally. indicated at 38, of the gathering and stacking means 21,which stack positioning means gathers and positions the items 31 instacks of predetermined order and number. This positioning means 38basically includes the generallyvertically extending axially spacedstationary stop members 39' and the generally vertically extendinggenerally L-shaped cross-section releasable stop member 40, all of whichwill be hereinafter described more in detail,

As the inverting discs 35, with the'particular item 31 engaged in thereceiving slots 36 thereof, rotate'by the stationary stop members 39,the leading end of the item 31 is engaged by these stationary stopmembers 39 and 9 the trailing end of item 31 is engaged by thereleasable stop member 40, thereby removing this particular item 31 fromthe inverting discs 35 and positioning item 31 between the stationaryand releasable stop members 39 and 40, as shown in FIG. 1.

After a stack of items 31 of predetermined order and number has beengathered between the stationary and releasable stop members 39 and 40,the releasable stop member 40 is automatically moved to a releasedposition, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, by means to be hereinafterdescribed, and this movement to released posit-ion disengages thetrailing ends of the stack of items 31 so that these items drop fullydownwardly onto the stack conveyor means 22.

Stack conveyor means 22 is formed by the usual conveyor belt or belts 41and the usual pulleys 42, which conveyor belts 41 move the stack ofitems 31 immediately away from the location of the gathering andstacking means 21, or to the right as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a preferred form of printing cylinder 10 andbelt means 11 are shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing cylinder 10may be formed by the substantially identical axially spaced and opposedsprocket members 43, each having the outer flanged edge portions 44 andthe inwardly directed reduced portions 45. The sprocket members 43 areeccentrically mounted perfectly aligned and axially spaced on therotatable printing cylinder 10.

Furthermore, each of the sprocket members 43- is provided with the usualsprocket teeth 46 which engage the belt means 11 in the form of theendless chains 47 in the usual manner, so that upon rotation of thesprocket members 43, the chains 47 must move precisely therewith.

The printing plates 12 through 15 are mounted between and movable withthe chains 47 and printing cylinder 10 by the plate holders, generallyindicated at 48, with these plate holders being formed by the mountingsegments 49 and the printing plate shoe 50. The mounting segments 49 arepositioned at either end of the printing plate shoe 50 so that eachsegment 49 is adjacent one of the chains 47. Furthermore, the segments49 and shoe 50 are maintained assembled with the chains 47 by the rods51, which rods extend completely through the segments and shoe and aresecured at the joining points of links on the chains 47.

As previously pointed out, for optimum printing results, it is preferredto form the circumferential plate outer surfaces 66 on an are generatedfrom the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder 10, whichwould be the center of rotation of the shaft 23.

In the particular construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plate innersurfaces (not shown), as well as the inner and outer surfaces of theplate holder 48, including the mounting segments 49 and printing plateshoes 50, may be formed on circumferential arcs generated from theactual center of the sprocket members 43, so that the plate innersurfaces will conform to the outer surfaces of the plate holders and theinner surfaces of the plate holders will, in turn, conform to the outersurfaces of the sprocket members.

Again, the same results can be accomplished in this particularconstruction by forming the inner surfaces of the printing plates 12through 15 on a radius generated from the true center of rotation ofsprocket members 43, which would require the outer surfaces of at leastthe printing plate shoes 50 to likewise be formed on radii generatedfrom this true center of rotation, while the inner surfaces of themounting segments 49' and the printing plate shoes would be formed onradii generated from the actual center of the sprocket members 43 whenthe outer surfaces of these sprocket members are perfectly circular.

The important point is, as has been hereinbefore pointed out, that foroptimum results, the printing plate outer surfaces 66 should be formedon circumferential arcs gen- 10 erated from the true center of rotationin order to provide even uniform contact with the inking and impressionrolls which, as previously described, are at set locations during theprinting operation.

In order for the chains 47 to mount the plate holders 48 and still becapable of conforming to the relatively large dimensions of the printingcylinder 10 as Well as the small dimensions of the idler means 28, andthe necessity of virtually straightening out therebetween, these plateholders 48 are mounted on the chains 47 to permit some flexibility formovement of these chains. This is accomplished by mounting one of therods 51 in oblong openings 52 and 53 extending through the mountingsegments 49 and printing plate shoe 50, respectively, whereas the otherrod 51 may be mounted in circular openings 54 and 55 through themounting segments and shoe, respective-ly.

Thus, the oblong openings 52 and 53 permit necessary movement of the onerod 51 for the flexibility required in movement of the chains 47 aroundthe printing cylinder 10, the idler means 2.8 and therebetween. At thesame time, the other rod 5 1 in the circular openings 54 and 55 willmaintain the plate holder 48 in a perfect constant position relative tothe chains 47 and thus the printing cylinder 10, as required forproperly accomplishing the printing operations hereinbefore described.

The printing cylinder 10 may be rotated in proper timed relationship tothe other elements of the printing press construction in the usualmanner. Further, the printing plates 12 through 15 are mounted on theparticular late holders 48 in the usual manner, a segment of plate 12being shown in FIG. 4.

Finally, although it is preferred to form the printing cylinder 10 bythe sprocket members 43 and the belt means 11 by the chains 47 as shown,it is obvious that other arrangements could be used for maintaining theproper relative movement between the printing cylinder 10 and the beltmeans 11, and all such means are contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 the gathering and stacking means 21 is shownmore in detail. As previously described, the rotatable shaft 37 mountsthe axially spaced inverting discs 35, which inverting discs aremaintained rigidly spaced and aligned by the tie rod 56.

Shaft 37 is rotated for in turn rotating the inverting discs 35 in timedrelationship to the rotation of the printing cylinder 10 in the usualmanner, so that when one of the printed items 31 is received from theprinting cylinder 10 through the receiving rolls 20, these invertingdiscs 35 are properly positioned for receiving the printed item 31 intothe receiving slots 36. Thereafter, continued rotation of shaft 37 andinverting discs 35, counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 6, will depositthe particular printed item 31 in the stack positioning means 38.

As shown, the stack positioning means 38 is formed by the spacedstationary stop members 39 and the releasable stop member 49. Thestationary stop members 39 are generally L-shaped, secured to thesupport member 57 of the stack conveyor means 22, and having thevertically upstanding portions as shown positioned beneath the invertingdiscs 35, but these stationary stop members are properly spaced topermit the rotation of the inverting discs therebetween, as best seen inFIG. 7.

It should be noted, as indicated by the broken line positioning of theinverting discs35 in FIG. 6, that as these inverting discs pass betweenthe stationary stop members 39, the receiving slots 36 thereof arepositioned below the upper ends of the stationary stop members, so thata printed item 31 positioned in these slots and extending between and ateither side of' the inverting discs will be wiped or removed from theseslots merely by engagement of the stationary stop members with theleading end of the particular item 31 combined with the continuedrotation of the inverting discs. At the same time, the trailing end ofthe particular item 31 is engaged by the 1 1 releasable stop member 40,which releasable stop member is formed by the generally verticallyextending support arms. 58 attached at their upper ends to the pivotalsupport rod 59 and attached at their lower ends to the generallyhorizontally extending L-shaped cross-section holding flange 6t).

Thus, as the printed items 31 are rotated or inverted by the invertingdiscs 35, these printed items are received between the stationary stopmembers 39 and the releasable stop member 40, and retained in an angledposition between these stop members, as shown in FIG. 6, with theleading ends adjacent the stationary stop members 39 and the trailingends adjacent and retained by the L- shaped cross-section holding flange60 of the releasable stop member 40. Since these printed items 31 wereoriginally printed on the lower surfaces thereof, and received andinverted by the inverting discs 35, these printed items are positionedin the stack with the lower surfaces facing upwardly, so that theprinted material thereon faces upwardly.

Still further, as shown in FIG. 6, the leading end of the printed item31 which is at the bottom of the lowermost stack being built betweenstop members 39 and 40, rests on the conveyor belts 41 of the stackconveyor means 22, but the printed items in this particular stack cannotbe moved by the stack conveyor means 22, since the trailing ends ofthese printed items are still retained by the releasable stop member 40.Thus, at this point, although the conveyor belts 41 of the stackconveyor 22 continue to move, the leading end of the lowermost of theprinted items 31 remains stationary and there is a sliding effecttherebetween.

As shown in FIG. 7, the L-shaped cross-section holding flange 6% of thereleasable stop member 40 is formed with a laterally extending camengagement portion 61 which extends laterally outwardly to overlie thestack release means, generally indicated at 62 and shown in FIGS. 6and'7. This stack release means 62 may include a rotatable sprocket 63mounted for rotating a cam release member 64, with the rotation of thesprocket and cam release member being provided by the chain 65. Chain 65is operably connected to the printing cylinder 10 in proper timedrelationship so that the cam release member 64, which is positionedunderlying the cam engagement portion 61 of the releasable stop memberholding flange 60, will engage this cam engagement portion at the properintervals, as will be hereinafter set forth.

As viewed in FIG. 6, the cam release member 64 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction and, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, whenthis cam release member 64' engages the cam engagement portion 61 of thereleasable stop member holding flange 60, in view of the pivotalmounting of the releasable stop member 40, this releasable stop memberwill be pivoted in a clockwise direction, so that the holding flange 60will be disengaged from and release the trailing ends of the printeditems 31, permitting these printed items to drop fully downwardly ontothe conveyor belts 41 of the stack conveyor means 22.

As the cam release member 64 continues to rotate counterclockwise, asshown in FIG. 6, it will finally disengage the releasable stop member40, permitting this releasable stop member to pivot in acounterclockwise direction back to its normal holding position, shown infull lines in FIG. 6, while at the same time, the stack of printed itemswhich has just been released, passes benea-th this releasable stopmember 40 on the conveyor belts 41 and is carried away from the locationof this gathering and stacking means 21. l

The movement of the cam release member 64 is properly timed inrelationship to the movement of the printing cylinder 10 and theparticular number of printing plates on the belt means 11, in this casefour printing plates 12 through 15, so that when the first printingplate 12 is approaching the printing station 26 on the printing cylinder10 ready to print the first in the series of printed 12 items 31, thiscam release member 64 will have just released the releasable stop member40, permitting this releasable stop member to pivot back to its stackbuilding or holding position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 6.

Further, the counterclockwise rotation of the cam release member 64 isperfectly regulated and timed so that this cam release member 64 willengage the cam engagement portion 61 of the releasable stop member 40,just after the last of the printed items 31 has been printedby the lastprinting plate in the series, in this case by printing plate 15, andthis last printed item 31 has been received and positioned at the top ofthe particular stack between the stationary stop members 39 and thereleasable stop member 40.

Thus, each stack of the printed items 31 built between the stationaryand releasable stop members 39 and 40 will include one each of theprinted items 31 printed in order by a single printing of each of thetotal number of printing plates in the series and these printed itemswill be stacked in perfect order. Further, when a stack is complete,this stack is automatically released and carried away by the stackconveyor means 22, so that the building of the next stack, again inperfect order and sequence, can begin.

The movement of the cam release member 64 must be in proper timedrelationship to the number of printing plates on the belt means 11 inorder for each stack to contain the proper number of printed items 31.In the particular case illustrated, each stack will contain four of theprinted items 31, since there are four printing plates 12 through 15 onthe belt means 11, but where other numbers of printing plates areprovided, the movement of the cam release member 64 may be changed intheusual manner by use of different sprockets, chains or gearing, andsuch changes are contemplated within the principles of the presentinvention.

In operation of the printing press construction of the present inventionand taking as an example this'printing press construction being set upfor printing a series of church collection envelopes having fourdifferent envelopes in each series to correspond, for instance, to thefour different weeksin a month, these envelopes in blank form may beaddressed by a usual addressing machine. In this case, of course, fourenvelope blanks would be addressed in order with the same addressthereon and the address Would change after each series of four.

These envelopes in blank form, except with the addresses thereon, wouldapproach the printing cylinder 10 on the feed conveyor means 18 atspaced intervals, and would be received one at atime through the feedrolls' 19. The first of the envelopes in a particular series would befed through the feed rolls 19 in timed relationship to the printingcylinder 10 and belt means 11, so that this envelope would be printed bythe first of the printing plates or the printing plate 12.

After this first envelope is printed, it is received through thereceiving rolls 20, passes into the receiving slots 36 of the invertingdiscs 35, and is inverted and transferred into the gathering andstacking means 21 between stationary and releasable stop members 39 and40. The next three envelopes in this particular series will besubsequently printed in proper timed relationship by the printing.plates 13, 14 and 15, and received one at a time in the same manner bythe gathering and stacking meansll, so that a complete stack of fourenvelopes is built. At this point, the. mm release members 64 of thestack release means 62 will move the releasable stop member 40 to itsreleased positiomso that the stack of envelopes falls completely ontothe stack conveyor means- 22 and is carried away. in-this stacked form.

All of the elements of the printing press construction of the presentinvention are operably connected in proper timed relationship in theusual manner. Furthermore, Where the number of printing plates on thebelt means. 11

is changed, this entire timing must be changed in the usual manner.

Thus, according to the principles of the present invention, the belts orchains carrying the printing plates may be of reduced length from thatformerly required and still will properly position each of theseprinting plates in sequence on a predetermined printing station of theprinting cylinder, so that a different printing plate will be properlypositioned for each revolution of the printing cylinder until all of theplates have accomplished the proper printing function. Furthermore, thisreduction in belt or chain length is accomplished while stillmaintaining the quality of printing, since each printing plate despitebeing on reduced lengths of belts or chains is only contacted by theinking and impression rolls at the particular revolution of printing forthat particular plate, which not only eliminates prohibitive orexcessive inking of any plate but additionally does not increase thewear of the inking and impression rolls.

Still further, according to the principles of the present invention,novel gathering and stacking means is provided which inverts the printeditems after having been printed on the lower surfaces thereof, so thatthe printing on these printed items can be quickly visually inspected.Also, this gathering and stacking means stacks the envelopes inpredetermined order and in a stack of predetermined number equal to thetotal number of different printing plates being used, after which, eachproperly built stack is automatically released to be conveyed away fromthe location of printing.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,'clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such Words are used for descriptive purposesherein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated anddescribed herein is by way of example and the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and useof a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and usefulresults obtained thereby, the new and useful construction and reasonablemechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, areset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Printing press construction including an eccentric rotatably mountedprinting cylinder having a printing station at the maximum eccentricitythereof, the printing cylinder having a circumference of predeterminedlength, endless belt means mounted around the printing cylinder movableexactly therewith, a series of printing plates mounted on the belt meansat equaily spaced points through the length of the belt means, thelength of the circumference of the printing cylinder being an exactwhole multiple more than one of said plate spacing and the relativepositioning between the printing cylinder and the belt means being suchthat one of the printing plates will be positioned at the printingstation during each revolution of said printing cylinder, inking rollmeans and impression roll means positioned at set locations about theprinting cylinder for contact by the printing plate positioned at theprinting station and being free of contact with printing plates not asaid printing station due to the eccentricity of the printing cylinder,the total length of the belt means being at least one plate spacinggreater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinderand not greater than one plate spacing less than the length of thecircumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number ofprinting plates, the relationship of the length of the circumference ofthe printing cylinder and the length of the individual plate spacingsand the total number of printing plates being such that each printingplate will be located at and rotate with the printing cylinder at theprinting station in predetermined sequence prior to any printing platebeing located at the printing station-more than once, and the printingplates and inking and impression roll means co-operating to print aseries of printed items.

2. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totallength of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than thelength of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

3. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totalnumber of printing plates mounted on the belt means is four, and thetotal length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater thanthe length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

4. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totalnumber of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and thetotal length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater thanthe length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

5. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totalnumber of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and thetotal length of the belt means is exactly two plate spacings greaterthan the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

6. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the inkingroll means and impression roll means are contacted by outer surfaces ofthe printing plates; and in which the outer surfaces of the printingplates are formed on circumferential arcs generated by a radius from thetrue center of rotation of the printing cylinder.

7. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the inkingroll means and impression roll means are contacted by outer surfaces ofthe printing plates; in which the outer surfaces of the printing platesare formed on circumferential arcs generated by a radius from the truecenter of rotation of the printing cylinder; in which inner surfaces ofthe printing plates contact outer circumferential surfaces of theprinting cylinder; in which said outer circumferential surfaces :of theprinting cylinder is circular generated by a radius from the actualcenter of the printing cylinder; and in which the inner surfaces of theprinting plates are formed on a circumferential are generated by aradius from the actual center of the printing cylinder.

8. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which gatheringand stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder forautomatically gathering the printed items after print-ing at theprinting cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of theother; and in which release means is operably connected to the gatheringand stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed itemsfrom the gathering and stacking means when the number of printed itemsin a stack is equal to the total number of printing plates mounted onthe belt means.

9. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which theprinted items are printed on a lower face thereof; in which gatheringmeans is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automaticallygathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder andautomatically inverting said printed items to positions in which theprinted lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly; in whichstacking means is operably connected to the gathering means forautomatically removing said printed items from the gathering means andstacking said printed items one on top of the other in said invertedpositions; and in which release means is operably connected to thestacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items fromthe stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equalto the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means.

10. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which gatheringand stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder forautomatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printingcylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of the other; in

which the gathering and stacking means includes releasable meansnormally retaining a stack of the printed items while a predeterminednumber of said printed items are stacked one on top of the other andbeing releasable for automatically releasing said stack of printed itemswhen said stack has reached said predetermined number; and in which camrelease means is operably connected to the releasable means of thegathering and stacking means operable in predetermined time relationshipwith the printing cylinder for automatically releasing said releasablemeans of the gathering and stacking means to release said stack ofprinted items when said stack is equal to the total number of printingplates mounted on the belt means.

11. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which theprinted items are printed on lower faces thereof; in which rotatableslotted inverting disc means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinderfor receiving the printed items after printing at the printing cylinderin slot means of said inverting disc means and automatically invertingsaid printed items to positions in which the printed lower faces thereofare turned facing upwardly by rotation of said inverting disc means; inwhich stacking means is operably connected adjacent the inverting discmeans for automatically removing said printed items after inverting fromthe slot means of the inverting disc means and stacking said printeditems one on top of the other in said inverted positions; in which thestacking means includes releasable means normally retaining a stack ofthe printed items while a predetermined number of said printed items arestacked one on top of the other and being releasable for automaticallyreleasing said stack of printed items when said stack has reached saidpredetermined number; and in which cam release means is operablyconnected to the releasable means of the stacking means operable inpredetermined timed relationship with the printing cylinder forautomatically releasing said releasable means of the stacking means torelease said stack of printed items when said stack is equal to thetotal number of printing plates mounted on the belt means.

12. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totalnumber of printing plates mounted on the belt means is four, and thetotal length of the belt meansis exactly one plate spacing greater thanthe length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in whichgathering and stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinderfor automatically gathering the printed items after printing at theprinting cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of theother; and in which release means is operably connected to the gatheringand stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed itemsfrom the gathering and stacking means when the number of printed itemsin a stack is equal to four.

13. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totalnumber of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and thetotal length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater thanthe length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in whichgathering and stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinderfor automatically gathering the printed items after printing at theprinting cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of theother; and in which release means is operably connected to the gatheringand stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed itemsfrom the gathering and stacking means when the number of printed itemsin a stack is equal to five.

'14. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which thetotal number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is four, andthe total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greaterthan the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in whichthe printed items are printed on a lower face thereof; in whichgathering means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder forautomatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printingcylinder and automatically inverting said printed items to positions inwhich the printed lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly; inwhich stacking means is operably connected to be gathering means forautomatically removing said printed items from the gathering means andstacking said printed items one on top ofthe other in said invertedpositions; and in which release means is operably connected to thestackin means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items fromthe stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equalto four.

15. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the totalnumber of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and thetotallength of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater thanthe length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in which theprinted items are printed on a lower face thereof; in which gatheringmeans is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automaticallygathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder andautomatically inverting said printed items to positions in which theprinted lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly; in whichstacking means is operably connected to the gathering means forautomatically removing said printed items from the gathering means andstacking said printed items one on top of the other in said invertedpositions; and in which release means is operably connected to thestacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items fromthe stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equalto five.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS881,167 Thomas Mar. 10, 1908 2,037,181 Shoemaker Apr. 14, 1936 2,066,179Keller Dec. 29, 1936 2,574,941 Trozrnuller Nov. 13, 1951 2,600,215 De*Floriz June 10, 1952 2,661,687 Chance Dec. 8, 1953 2,930,318 StroudMar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 852,005 Great Britain Oct. 19, 1960

1. PRINTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING AN ECCENTRIC ROTATABLY MOUNTEDPRINTING CYLINDER HAVING A PRINTING STATION AT THE MAXIMUM ECCENTRICITYTHEREOF, THE PRINTING CYLINDER HAVING A CIRCUMFERENCE OF PREDETERMINEDLENGTH, ENDLESS BELT MEANS MOUNTED AROUND THE PRINTING CYLINDER MOVABLEEXACTLY THEREWITH, A SERIES OF PRINTING PLATES MOUNTED ON THE BELT MEANSAT EQUALLY SPACED POINTS THROUGH THE LENGTH OF THE BELT MEANS, THELENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER BEING AN EXACTWHOLE MULTIPLE MORE THAN ONE OF SAID PLATE SPACING AND THE RELATIVEPOSITIONING BETWEEN THE PRINTING CYLINDER AND THE BELT MEANS BEING SUCHTHAT ONE OF THE PRINTING PLATES WILL BE POSITIONED AT THE PRINTINGSTATION DURING EACH REVOLUTION OF SAID PRINTING CYLINDER, INKING ROLLMEANS AND IMPRESSION ROLL MEANS POSITIONED AT SET LOCATIONS ABOUT THEPRINTING CYLINDER FOR CONTACT BY THE PRINTING PLATE POSITIONED AT THEPRINTING STATION AND BEING FREE OF CONTACT WITH PRINTING PLATES NOT ASAID PRINTING STATION DUE TO THE ECCENTRICITY OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER,THE TOTAL LENGTH OF THE BELT MEANS BEING AT LEAST ONE PLATE SPACINGGREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDERAND NOT GREATER THAN ONE PLATE SPACING LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF THECIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER MULTIPLIED BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OFPRINTING PLATES, THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE LENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OFTHE PRINTING CYLINDER AND THE LENGTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL PLATE SPACINGSAND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRINTING PLATES BEING SUCH THAT EACH PRINTINGPLATE WILL BE LOCATED AT AND ROTATE WITH THE PRINTING CYLINDER AT THEPRINTING STATION IN PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE PRIOR TO ANY PRINTING PLATEBEING LOCATED AT THE PRINTING STATION MORE THAN ONCE, AND THE PRINTINGPLATES AND INKING AND IMPRESSION ROLL MEANS CO-OPERATING TO PRINT ASERIES OF PRINTED ITEMS.